ON TRUSTING GOD

by: Craig

Dad reading Bible

At some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, we must address the question, what about trusting God? We can prepare and prepare and prepare, but we cannot prepare for everything. And all the preparation in the world will come to nothing if God is not in it. Unless your name is Noah, and you have a direct line with God, you are not going to know exactly what is going to happen nor will you know ahead of time what the best course of action will be. I am reminded of the verses in Proverbs 3, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil."

When King Asa was young, he relied upon the Lord when the immense army of the Ethiopians and the Lubim came against him, and God delivered him. Yet when he became old, he trusted in mankind (the king of Syria), and in doctors instead of trusting in Jehovah (II Chron 16). God was not pleased with him, and did not help him. Yet the prophet told Asa in verse 9 that "the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the land that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." How would you like God to strongly support you?

Damaged outbuilding

So should we do nothing in regards to preparedness? I don't think so. Psalm 127:1 states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders build in vain. Unless the Lord guard the city, the watchmen keep watch in vain." Notice that there are men building the house. God is not doing it without the builders. Also, there are watchmen keeping watch over the city. They are not sleeping. "The horse is prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." Notice that the horse was prepared for the battle, but that was not the cause of the outcome. The horse does not deliver anyone by its great strength.

Jonathan told his armour bearer, "God is not restrained to save by many or by few" (I Sam 14:6).

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One instance comes to mind from my college days, I was preparing for final exam in calculus. I studied diligently from my notes and from the textbook. I prayed that my heavenly father would help me study the necessary things. But when the time came to take the exam, it seemed that I had not studied any of what was on the test! At first I was horrified as I turned through the pages of the test in dismay. Then I remembered that I had asked for Gods direction as I had studied. So once again, I committed the exam into the Lords hands and asked for His wisdom (In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col 2:3). I thanked Him for the outcome, whether I passed or failed. An hour later, as I turned the exam in, I had no idea how I had done. To my astonishment, when I got the exam back a couple days later, I had gotten every single problem right! Praise be to His name! God knows a lot more about calculus than I do!

Checking oil

Guess what? God knows a lot more about everything than you and I do. He knows the future and He has numbered our days. And I firmly believe that the eyes of the Lord still move to and fro throughout the land that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Prepare, yes, but then go on with life trusting God to direct you step by step when the need arises.